A man allegedly attacked his partner by tipping a fridge freezer onto her, the High Court heard today.

John Patrick McKenna is also accused of threatening to “put her out of town” if she went ahead with the case against him.

The 49-year-old was granted bail but banned from going anywhere west of the River Bann. McKenna, of Sullenboy Park in Cookstown, Co Tyrone, faces charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intimidation.

PSNI pfficers were called to the address by his partner back in June, the court was told. Michael Chambers, prosecuting, said: “The complainant told police she had been assaulted by tipping over a fridge freezer in her kitchen.”

He added that the unit struck her, inflicting significant bruising down the left side of her torso. Pictures of the injuries were shown. McKenna was later arrested, telling police he had been drunk and couldn’t remember the alleged assault.

He was released but detained again following a further incident in September. The court heard claims that he had contacted the woman 75 times by telephone and text messages.

Mr Chambers alleged: “During one phone call he said if this case went ahead he would put her out of the town.”

McKenna was taken back into custody on Monday after police found him drunk and with the woman near a bus station in Dungannon. However, defence counsel argued that she had sought out the accused.

It was stressed that McKenna’s current hostel accommodation in Downpatrick depended on him securing bail. Mr Justice Deeny ruled he could be released from custody on condition that he abides by an alcohol ban and has no contact with the alleged victim.